I'm still here...

If you've been to Village Faire, you've seen the new shelves and the couple hundred extra books that are now up. Books there are just flying out the door! My on-line sales have picked-up as well ~ Thank you to those who have combed my inventory and come by to buy books! It's been a dreadful time lately with the move, my mom being sick and not having the store, so I appreciate the thoughtfulness.

Now for the public announcement portion of our program:

Have you heard of Poodle-dog Bush? There was an article in the LA Times this morning about it ~ apparently this lovely purple-flowered bush is growing rampant here in Socal and it's about 10 times worse than poison ivy, so Don't Touch!

Well, Phoenix is closed!

I'm putting box after box of books out front, come by and help yourself ~ but please keep the area neat and don't take my plastic bins.

I am staying in the book biz (just not at a physical location) so if you're looking for something, feel free to call or e-mail. Also, I WILL keep my blog up and inventory current, and continue to stock Village Faire with quality used books. I have to move out of the building by Friday, so I'm not sure I'll be able to get there this week, but definitely next week.

A HUGE Thank You to everyone who came by this weekend and bought books, or gave happy wishes for my future. The saddest part of closing the store after 3 1/2 years is that I won't see my regulars regularly anymore! :-( Of course, it's Big Bear, so we'll run into each other sooner or later...

Cheers!

Two days left!

I'm open today and tomorrow, please come by and help make my move just a bit lighter.

Only 42 boxes of cookbooks left ~ the more you buy, the less you'll pay! I'm adding lots of new stock, so even if you've already come by this weekend, there are tons of books you haven't seen yet.

There's still furniture left, two bookcases, farm table, two square tables, a huge wall hanging, kitchen hutch, two sets of four chairs and three cafe tables. Oh, and a treadmill and gardening trolley.

WHOO HOO!

Well, something worked. Bank of America CALLED ME just now to let me know that the trustee sale has been postponed and a single person will be assigned to my case to help me modify my loan. Whew! I know I still have a trek ahead, but I'm not homeless.

Thank you to EVERYONE who has come by, e-mailed, called and texted with hugs and good wishes! It's awesome to know that so many people care about me and my situation.

Don't forget though, this is the last week of Phoenix Books' existence (for now anyway) ~ come on by to buy a bunch of books for cheap (I'd rather not move them!). If I don't see you, have an excellent Independence Day!

I know it's crass...

but I'm desperate. Bank of America is foreclosing on my home. For 18 months now, I've been sending what I could, but not near my full mortgage payment, and the bank is tired of it ~ on June 29th, unless a miracle occurs, some lucky person will get a great deal on my home.

So, I'm asking for money... $1. If each of my blog followers will send $1 to Bank of America Home Loans, PO Box 515503, Los Angeles, CA 90051, account #82114856, I might have a chance. Since I'm asking you for money, I'll tell you: I drive a '92 Jeep, have $28 in savings, $112 in checking, I don't have credit cards, internet or kids, just dogs. My dtm job will enable me to pay my mortgage (and keep utilities) if I can just prevent foreclosure. I am really, sincerely grateful for any help you would provide.

Of course, the store is open until July 5th, so you could come in and buy lots of books!

Please don't wait, only two weeks left.

Wow!

For several months I've been selling books on Amazon (Phoenix 'Bearly Used' Books) to bring in extra cash. It's challenging because there are many factors to take into account and lots of sellers to compete with for your business. If you've spent any time at all on Amazon, you've seen books for .01, yes, 1 cent! Plus $3.99 for shipping and handling. It's a really great deal for the buyer, but, after Amazon's take, packaging, and the actual shipping cost (not to mention the original price of the book and the seller's time listing, packing and mailing) the seller loses about .68 on the deal. However, the seller is counting on you remembering a good experience with them next time you're looking for a book and see their name, and the thousands of other books they are making money on.

At the other end of the spectrum, this blog is about a scientific book on Amazon priced over 23 MILLION dollars ~ yup, you read that right. Two sellers of this book have automatic algorithms in place to adjust the sales price to a competitive amount when another seller changes their price. Personally, I think it's terrible that an actual person isn't checking the listings, but I guess if you have hundreds of thousands books listed, it could take all day. But, the part I find to be really ghastly is that it seems that some sellers don't actually have the books they're selling in stock. They charge more for a book than someone else selling it and if theirs happens to sell, they order it from the someone else who ships it directly to the buyer. I guess everyone is getting what they want, but it just doesn't seem fair to me.

Do you order often from Amazon? What do you look for from a seller?

Last Day, Tuesday, July 5th

If you have store credit, come on in and use it up (credit may NOT be used at Village Faire). If there's a book on the shelf you've been eying, come in and get it.

Because I will continue selling books in and around Big Bear, I will not be reducing prices in the store (they're pretty low already), but I will have '(parking) lot sales' to pass on much of my overstock. As a matter of fact, I think I'll start this weekend.

I will continue to accept book donations and books for minimal store credit that can be used immediately.

Also, much of the furniture will have to go, so if there's something you admire, let me know and I'll put your name on the list to call when it's time.